Zoey at Two-and-Three-Quarters

Dear Zoey,

At two-almost-three, you are love and light (most of the time), interspersed by brief flashes of frustration, pouting and temper.

You can pout--lower lip way out--like no one else when you want to. You can be mean to your brother. You can yell "No!" and kick and kick when you don't want to do something. You can throw a temper tantrum if you don't get your way.

But more--much more--than all this is your sweet smile. Your adorable way of saying "Mommy" and "Daddy" with a questioning lilt at the end that I need to get on film because there's no way to convey it exactly in writing. Your enthusiasm for pretty much everything. Your snuggly nature. The way you take care of your stuffies--you're such a good mommy to them. The way you need your stuffed pig buckled into the seat in the car. Your general easy-going-ness. The games you make up as you play in the playroom in the early morning...it's a delight to wake to your imagination at work. Your love of books. Your willingness to pick up. Your help in the kitchen...you're especially good with putting things I've cut up into a bowl and stirring. The way you want a hug and a kiss every night. And back scratchies and a song--"scratch harder," you always say. The beautiful pictures you color. The way you play and share so nicely with your brother (most of the time). Your energetic dancing. Hide-and-seek where you run up and hug me as soon as I come to find you, shrieking with laughter. How you want to read 'Into the Castle' for the 10,000th time. The way you race around the house on your bike, lifting your feet for speed, totally fearless. I could go on and on...

I cherish each precious day we have together. I'm so grateful I get to be your Mommy.

Love,

Mommy